IN PROFILE: WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS

13 June 2014

Ashley Houghton

As we countdown to fixture release, take a look at our new opponents in the Sky Bet Championship.

With the announcement of our Sky Bet Championship fixtures for the 2014/15 season just five days away, we continue our look at the division's six latest incumbents by profiling Sky Bet League One winners Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Founded: 1877

Stadium: Molineux

Travel

Wigan Athletic Supporters’ Club offer travel to all away games but, should you wish to make your own way to the Midlands, the travel details are below:

Distance from the DW Stadium (By car): 78 miles (M6)

By train: Wigan North Western to Wolverhampton (direct).

Last Season

Miserable back-to-back relegations saw Wolves competing in the third tier of English football for the first time in 25 years.

Installed as favourites to win League One, the Molineux-outfit tasked former Millwall boss Kenny Jackett with securing an immediate return to the Sky Bet Championship.

Rarely off the top of the table, Wolves dominated the division from start to finish; dishing out thrashings to Gillingham, Colchester United, Oldham Athletic and Swindon Town along the way.

Early season additions such as Sam Ricketts, Kevin McDonald – who went on to win the Fans’ Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year – and Scott Golbourne set the tone for a positive campaign whilst

January additions Michael Jacobs, James Henry, Leon Clarke and Nouha Dicko, who joined from Latics in January, further strengthened the cause with the latter four adding 22 goals in the second-half of the campaign.

Key Stat

Wolves scored 89 goals in their 46 league games last season, more than any other Football League side.

Key Man

Despite relegation in his first season with the club, Bakary Sako has been a since moving to Wolves from Saint-Etienne in 2012.

The 26-year-old’s debut campaign returned ten goals from 39 appearances but was cut short in March due to a hamstring injury and his absence no doubt affected the Molineux outfit as they plunged to the third tier.

Kenny Jackett did well to retain the Mali international for the 2013-14 season despite interest from Sky Bet Championship side Nottingham Forest.

Sako turned out multiple star performances as Wolves romped to the League One title, leading their scoring charts with 13 goals in all competitions.

New Boy

Left-sided midfielder Tommy Rowe joined Wolves on a free transfer from Peterborough United following the expiration of his contract at London Road.

The 25-year-old made 199 appearances for Posh after joining from Stockport County in 2009.

Rowe can also feature at left-back and may be forced to compete in that position following the departure of George Elokobi.

Latics Link

Wolves frontman Nouha Dicko moved to Molineux in January 2014 after initially spending time on loan with the Black Country outfit at the end of the 2012-13 season.

The Mali international started life with Wolves well and scored a double on his league debut against Bristol City before going on to notch 12 league goals in just 19 games.

Head-to-head

Latics have won three of the past four meetings between the two sides meaning they edge the head-to-head with six wins compared to Wolves’ five whilst there have also been three draws.